Top 10 Worst-Selling Albums of the ’80s

What are the top 10 worst-selling albums of the '80s? As the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) doesn't keep records of sales under 500,000, and Soundscan didn't come into being until 1991, exact figures are hard to come by. The following are some of the worst-selling popular albums of the 1980s. Some entries might shock you.

Kiss-"Music from the Elder." This 1981 release is one of Kiss's worst-selling albums ever, and ranks as one of the 10 worst-selling albums of the '80s. It peaked at 75 on the Billboard U.S. album charts. Only one of two Kiss albums that failed to receive any U.S. sales certifications, "Music from the Elder" sold less than 500,000 copies. Singles included "A World Without Heroes" and "I."

A-ha-"Scoundrel Days." The band's sophomore release in 1986 did far worse than its debut, "Hunting High and Low." "Scoundrel Days" sold less than 500,000 copies. Singles did better and included "I've Been Losing You," "Cry Wolf," and "Manhattan Skyline." It lands second on the list of worst-selling albums of the '80s.

Christopher Cross-"Another Page." Cross's 1983 release, his second album, sold just 500,000 copies. It included one hit single, "Think of Laura," that went to #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts. This album definitely didn't do as well as its predecessor, the "Arthur" soundtrack, which is why "Another Page" appears on the list of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.

Thomas Dolby-"The Flat Earth ." Dolby's 1984 album sold less than 500,000 copies in the U.S., where it peaked at #35 on the album charts, qualifying it as one of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.. Its single "Hyperactive" became Dolby's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom, however.

The Hooters-"One Way Home." The band's 1987 follow-up to the successful "Nervous Night" did not live up to the hype, selling just over 500,000 copies and reaching Gold certification status. It included the hits "Satellite," "Engine 999," and "One Way Home"–not enough to get it off the list of worst-selling albums of the '80s.

Julian Lennon-"The Secret Value of Daydreaming." Although John Lennon's son Julian's1986 release sold just over 500,000 copies in the U.S. to earn it Gold status, its most successful single, "Stick Around," was the album's only top 40 hit. It is one of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.

The Jim Carroll Band-"Catholic Boy." This 1980 album by author Carroll's band reached 73 on the Billboard album charts. It sold less than 500,000 copies and is one of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.

The Clash-"Cut the Crap." The band's 1985 album, also their last, was so bad they disowned it. The album reached #88 on the Billboard 100 chart, and sold less than 500,000. However, it was re-released in 2000 to more success after the band's demise. It still ranks as one of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.

Bob Dylan-"Down in the Groove." Considered Dylan's worst album ever, this 1988 release charted at #61 in the U.S. and sold 500,000 copies. It is his 25th studio album, and one of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.

The Knack-"But the Little Girls Understand." The Knack's 1980 release and follow-up to the wildly successful album "Get the Knack" underperformed its predecessor, selling just over 500,000 copies to earn it Gold certification status in the U.S. It is regarded as a critical success and a favorite of Knack fans, although it is still one of the worst-selling albums of the '80s.